HEADLINE:"Pour yourself a cigarette: The new 'Liquid Smoking' drink that promises an instant high for smokers trying to beat the ban"
AUTHOR:Lucy Ballinger
LINK:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1080594/Pour-cigarette-The-new-Liquid-Smoking-drink-promises-instant-high-smokers-trying-beat-ban.html
The lead is kind of odd, because it's broken up into four senteces and answers a W in each one. "It's the sort of news that will make a smoker's eyes light up" is the first bit of the soft news lead, which uses a play on words, (light and smoker)to hook the reader a little bit. The next sentence, perhaps the true lede, is a soft news lede and answers who (the company), what (the herbal drink) and why (to imitate a cigarett'es effects). The following sentences are more specific and name the drink (Liquid Smoking) and identify who it would effect and appeal to, which is very effective if used early enough.
The second graf brings in a bit of conflict, bringing up how anti-smoking groups fear it would spark addiction. The conflict helps keep the story moving and gives the piece more of a point than simply, "Hey, there's a new drink for smokers!" Following the second graf, the article begins to expand on what's in the drink and why the company assures that it isn't addictive.
The article introduces a primary source, Chief executive of United Drinks and Beauty Corporation Martin Hartman, to validify that Liquid Smoking is not harmful. He explains what exactly the chemicals in the drink are and the article uses several quotes from him. The quotes expand on the drink's effects.
The author brings up the confict with the anti-smoking groups again, which keeps readers reading all the way through the article.
The article fizzles out, ending with a lame fact on caffeine: "Drunk in excess, caffeine can lead to insomnia, anxiety and hyperactivity. "
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Analysis: "Planning Surgery? Bring a Sharpie."
LINK: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/22/planning-surgery-bring-a-sharpie/
"Planning Surgery? Bring a Sharpie" written by Tara Parker
This article is as soft as news gets. It's about Sharpies for crying out loud. Sharpies and why they are effective for doctors to use when performing plastic surgery. The lede is very simple; effectively answers 4 W's and uses language that points out that a Sharpie is an everyday tool and should therefore not be combined with technical surgeries. Irony draws the reader in.
The article quickly moves on to tell readers WHY doctors are using Sharpies. This is done in the second paragraph.
The third paragraph starts with a randomly placed, (I think) "expert" attribution. Infection control experts from the University of Alabama decided to study the pens by comparing them to other pens! Also in this paragraph was a mention of George Bush, citing that he probably uses Sharpies from time to time. I wouldn't be surprized if this was a simple technique to catch the reader's attention. Usually, the name "George Bush" in print catches the public's eye.
The following paragraph explains the tests done on the Sharpies, and how other markers become easily contaminated with germs and things. Following that was a really lame quote that had nothing to do with anything: "“We went much further than what would happen in real life,” said Dr. Sarah Forgie, associate professor in the department of pediatrics.
I think it's a really vague quote. The validity seems lacking. As well as the above mentioned "Infection control experts." It's also sketchy that they talked about the control experts for four paragraphs and couldn't even get a quote. So they had to go to "Dr." Forgie of (lowercase)department of pediatrics?
The finally paragraph includes a bit of advice when using sharpies to draw on yourself while under the knife. Thanks, Tara, because we've all been there! She also directs readers onto a related article: "When Surgeons Cut the Wrong Body Part." Analysis number two, here I come!
Overall, I thought this article was poorly written. And too vague for my own liking. It used very bland language and the lede was weak. It didn't provide enough quotes or actual facts or statistics.
"Planning Surgery? Bring a Sharpie" written by Tara Parker
This article is as soft as news gets. It's about Sharpies for crying out loud. Sharpies and why they are effective for doctors to use when performing plastic surgery. The lede is very simple; effectively answers 4 W's and uses language that points out that a Sharpie is an everyday tool and should therefore not be combined with technical surgeries. Irony draws the reader in.
The article quickly moves on to tell readers WHY doctors are using Sharpies. This is done in the second paragraph.
The third paragraph starts with a randomly placed, (I think) "expert" attribution. Infection control experts from the University of Alabama decided to study the pens by comparing them to other pens! Also in this paragraph was a mention of George Bush, citing that he probably uses Sharpies from time to time. I wouldn't be surprized if this was a simple technique to catch the reader's attention. Usually, the name "George Bush" in print catches the public's eye.
The following paragraph explains the tests done on the Sharpies, and how other markers become easily contaminated with germs and things. Following that was a really lame quote that had nothing to do with anything: "“We went much further than what would happen in real life,” said Dr. Sarah Forgie, associate professor in the department of pediatrics.
I think it's a really vague quote. The validity seems lacking. As well as the above mentioned "Infection control experts." It's also sketchy that they talked about the control experts for four paragraphs and couldn't even get a quote. So they had to go to "Dr." Forgie of (lowercase)department of pediatrics?
The finally paragraph includes a bit of advice when using sharpies to draw on yourself while under the knife. Thanks, Tara, because we've all been there! She also directs readers onto a related article: "When Surgeons Cut the Wrong Body Part." Analysis number two, here I come!
Overall, I thought this article was poorly written. And too vague for my own liking. It used very bland language and the lede was weak. It didn't provide enough quotes or actual facts or statistics.
Press Release
LINK: http://tampa.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/2008/cocainecharges101708.htm
CONTACT: Steve Cole and U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton
CONTACT: Steve Cole and U.S. Attorney A. Brian Albritton
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Revision: Election Interviews
LIBERAL ARTS AND OLD FARTS
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – It’s election time on a liberal arts campus in a historically blue state, yet Kalamazoo College’s opinion on the presidential race strays from an entirely leftist view.
“It’s ridiculous how you can find the presidential candidates in gossip magazines and tabloids,” Munchie-Mart employee Colleen C. Paul said. The 23-year old Kalamazoo native will be voting for Ralph Nader. “I know he’s been on the ballot for about 80 years, but hey, what have we got to lose? Paul has no affiliation other than “the common sense party.”
Paul’s manager, Henrik S. Ljung, nods his head in joking agreement. Ljung, 24, is undecided and has no party affiliation. He admits it has been tiring hearing about the presidential race, but hasn’t seen the media ripping on the candidates yet. “It’s the longest presidential election I’ve ever seen and the media has been pretty kind, which is surprising.” Ljung predicts the election will be an extremely close call, but assumes Obama will be the one coming home to the White House in January.
Kalamazoo College student Harrison S. Vogel, 19, has no party affiliation and is voting for Bob Barr. “I tend to swing towards a libertarian stance when it comes to politics,” Vogel said.
While Ljung, Vogel, and Paul remain moderately conservative in addressing questions regarding the election, some of the students at Kalamazoo College possess a different voice – one that shouts much louder.
First-year college student Liviy M. Pope’s voice is thunderous enough to stand up for the entirety of the Democratic Party. “I’m definitely liberal!” Pope exclaimed. Pope, from State College, Pennsylvania, will be voting for the Obama and Biden team, in the hopes that they will change the world’s perception of America. “We need a good foreign policy. We don’t have any friends in the world because of George W. Bush,” Pope said, grimacing.
Others agree with Pope’s anti-Republican sentiments. “A big, big reason I’m voting for Obama is because I really don’t like McCain,” student and 19 year-old democrat Anna F. Witte said. The Grand Rapids native expresses her distaste for the war, calling it depressing and unfair. “The army just called and they want me. I said “hell, no!” I’m wearing a sweater that says Make Peace!”
Make peace, make war, or make no solid assessment of the presidential race at all, street-residers of Kalamazoo run the gamut of political party stances. November 4 is sure to bring about a clashing of personal political interests.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – It’s election time on a liberal arts campus in a historically blue state, yet Kalamazoo College’s opinion on the presidential race strays from an entirely leftist view.
“It’s ridiculous how you can find the presidential candidates in gossip magazines and tabloids,” Munchie-Mart employee Colleen C. Paul said. The 23-year old Kalamazoo native will be voting for Ralph Nader. “I know he’s been on the ballot for about 80 years, but hey, what have we got to lose? Paul has no affiliation other than “the common sense party.”
Paul’s manager, Henrik S. Ljung, nods his head in joking agreement. Ljung, 24, is undecided and has no party affiliation. He admits it has been tiring hearing about the presidential race, but hasn’t seen the media ripping on the candidates yet. “It’s the longest presidential election I’ve ever seen and the media has been pretty kind, which is surprising.” Ljung predicts the election will be an extremely close call, but assumes Obama will be the one coming home to the White House in January.
Kalamazoo College student Harrison S. Vogel, 19, has no party affiliation and is voting for Bob Barr. “I tend to swing towards a libertarian stance when it comes to politics,” Vogel said.
While Ljung, Vogel, and Paul remain moderately conservative in addressing questions regarding the election, some of the students at Kalamazoo College possess a different voice – one that shouts much louder.
First-year college student Liviy M. Pope’s voice is thunderous enough to stand up for the entirety of the Democratic Party. “I’m definitely liberal!” Pope exclaimed. Pope, from State College, Pennsylvania, will be voting for the Obama and Biden team, in the hopes that they will change the world’s perception of America. “We need a good foreign policy. We don’t have any friends in the world because of George W. Bush,” Pope said, grimacing.
Others agree with Pope’s anti-Republican sentiments. “A big, big reason I’m voting for Obama is because I really don’t like McCain,” student and 19 year-old democrat Anna F. Witte said. The Grand Rapids native expresses her distaste for the war, calling it depressing and unfair. “The army just called and they want me. I said “hell, no!” I’m wearing a sweater that says Make Peace!”
Make peace, make war, or make no solid assessment of the presidential race at all, street-residers of Kalamazoo run the gamut of political party stances. November 4 is sure to bring about a clashing of personal political interests.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Analysis: "Home Prices Seem Far From Bottom"
LINKAGE: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/16/business/economy/16housing.html?ref=todayspaper
The article is from The New York Times, written by Vikas Bajaj is about home prices being "far from hitting bottom" and explains who will be hit hardest by this blow, where it's affecting the country, and offers a slew of statistics on mortgage prices and other stuff of which I don't have the proper knowledge to even begin to write about.
So. It begins with a hard-news style lede: simple, yet hardhitting. "The American housing market, where the global economic crisis began, is far from hitting bottom" it reads. Basically, it only answers 2 W's, but the two W's in particular are very effective, seeing as it's a much talked about story in the media anyways. The second graf is technically a second lede; it is elaborating on the first sentence and answers the rest of the W's. The third paragraph/nut graf tells the readers why they should care by identifying the hard-hit areas (Arizona, California, and Florida) and adds a bit more useless elaboration on the lede, stating, once again, that home prices are on the decline and fewer people are willing to buy them...yeah, so we've read twice already.
The first quote of the article comes in here. It is a quote from a primary source, a real estate guy, and definitely is the voice of authenticity in the article.
The rest of the article expands on previously stated themes to the story. For example, it elaborates on the states that are suffering the most from the drop in housing prices and what life has been like in these areas. Also in the remaining paragraphs, it cites many sources and gives many statistics on exact prices and dates. It attributes a number of reasons for the decline in prices as well, in a strictly unbias way.
The article ends with a quote, and a pretty bad one. Actually, the article ends with "he said." So, thumbs down for that.
The article is from The New York Times, written by Vikas Bajaj is about home prices being "far from hitting bottom" and explains who will be hit hardest by this blow, where it's affecting the country, and offers a slew of statistics on mortgage prices and other stuff of which I don't have the proper knowledge to even begin to write about.
So. It begins with a hard-news style lede: simple, yet hardhitting. "The American housing market, where the global economic crisis began, is far from hitting bottom" it reads. Basically, it only answers 2 W's, but the two W's in particular are very effective, seeing as it's a much talked about story in the media anyways. The second graf is technically a second lede; it is elaborating on the first sentence and answers the rest of the W's. The third paragraph/nut graf tells the readers why they should care by identifying the hard-hit areas (Arizona, California, and Florida) and adds a bit more useless elaboration on the lede, stating, once again, that home prices are on the decline and fewer people are willing to buy them...yeah, so we've read twice already.
The first quote of the article comes in here. It is a quote from a primary source, a real estate guy, and definitely is the voice of authenticity in the article.
The rest of the article expands on previously stated themes to the story. For example, it elaborates on the states that are suffering the most from the drop in housing prices and what life has been like in these areas. Also in the remaining paragraphs, it cites many sources and gives many statistics on exact prices and dates. It attributes a number of reasons for the decline in prices as well, in a strictly unbias way.
The article ends with a quote, and a pretty bad one. Actually, the article ends with "he said." So, thumbs down for that.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Revision: Jeffrey Ahson Obituary
AMERICAN HERO IS REMEMBERED AND HONORED
KALAMAZOO, Mich., - Navy Veteran and renowned firefighter Jeffrey Ahson, 79, passed away from complications of emphysema.
Mr. Ahson served in the Navy during World War II. He fought the battle at Midway of 1942, where his ship, the USS Emery, was attacked. Ahson rescued four wounded sailors and shot down three planes during his fight.
“Ahson was a genuine American hero,” Jeraldine Fyfe, Lieutenant Commander of the US Navy, said.
Ahson received a purple heart and a navy cross for his efforts and was promoted Ensign. He left the Navy in 1946.
Ahson moved from his hometown Chico, Calif. to Kalamazoo in 1966, where he became a firefighter. Locals knew him as a “fireman historian” and after restoring an old fire truck, Ahson visited local schools toting his collection of firefighting equipment and memorabilia. His exhibition is on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
Mr. Ahson was a member of Elk’s Lodge, Checker’s Association, and Gideon’s International. He was also an usher at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Ahson is survived by his wife, Therese Alpert; brother Henry Ahson of San Francisco; sister Judith Eaker of Reidsville, N.C.; sister Shirley Solomon of Newark, N.J.; daughters Lela Stalling of Pipe Creek, Tex. and Angela Molino of Omaha, Nebr.; son Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kans.; and his five grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday at 10 AM at the Littleton Mortuary. A burial at Memorial Park Cemetery follows. Viewings are 4:30 to 5:30 PM and 4:30 to 7:30 PM on Friday. The family requests no flowers.
KALAMAZOO, Mich., - Navy Veteran and renowned firefighter Jeffrey Ahson, 79, passed away from complications of emphysema.
Mr. Ahson served in the Navy during World War II. He fought the battle at Midway of 1942, where his ship, the USS Emery, was attacked. Ahson rescued four wounded sailors and shot down three planes during his fight.
“Ahson was a genuine American hero,” Jeraldine Fyfe, Lieutenant Commander of the US Navy, said.
Ahson received a purple heart and a navy cross for his efforts and was promoted Ensign. He left the Navy in 1946.
Ahson moved from his hometown Chico, Calif. to Kalamazoo in 1966, where he became a firefighter. Locals knew him as a “fireman historian” and after restoring an old fire truck, Ahson visited local schools toting his collection of firefighting equipment and memorabilia. His exhibition is on display at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.
Mr. Ahson was a member of Elk’s Lodge, Checker’s Association, and Gideon’s International. He was also an usher at John Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Ahson is survived by his wife, Therese Alpert; brother Henry Ahson of San Francisco; sister Judith Eaker of Reidsville, N.C.; sister Shirley Solomon of Newark, N.J.; daughters Lela Stalling of Pipe Creek, Tex. and Angela Molino of Omaha, Nebr.; son Richard D. Ahson of Phillipsburg, Kans.; and his five grandchildren.
Services will be held Saturday at 10 AM at the Littleton Mortuary. A burial at Memorial Park Cemetery follows. Viewings are 4:30 to 5:30 PM and 4:30 to 7:30 PM on Friday. The family requests no flowers.
Analysis: "Alcohol Makes Your Brain Smaller"
The article, written by Peter M. Crosta from "Medical News Today," talks about how people who drink more alcohol may have a smaller brain volume. Apparently, every ten years of age yields a 1.9% decrease in brain volume and an increase in white matter lesions. The link between drinking and decline in brain volume appeared to be stronger in women, even though men were more likely to drink alcohol. Though testers explain that women are smaller and more susceptible to the effects of alcohols anyway. The study was conducted at Wellesley College Mass., by Carol Ann Paul, M.S.
The lede was straight to the point. It is a hard news story and answers the five W's, which alone, is enough to entice the reader into continuing the story, (Alcohol? Small brains? Whaa?!) The second graf, AKA, second paragraph of this article delivers the hardest hitting scientific data. This is where the percentage of brain mass and the relationship it has with alcohol. It also brings the story home to a certain demographic of people: "People who are developing dementia or problems with thinking, learning, and memory also tend to have lower brain volumes and larger white matter lesions." Another useful technique to get people to care. The third paragraph is the nut graph. This paragraph "proves" the accuracy of the story by stating where and when the experiment was conducted and by whom. It also talks about how exactly it was carried out, just in case any suspicious sci-nerds are reading.
The following three paragraphs just highlight some more semi-interesting experiment findings. Nothing too amazing. The article really just fizzles out. The last paragraph is actually a giant quote about the experiment author's conclusions on the testings; quite an appropriate way to end the article.
LINK: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/125393.php
The lede was straight to the point. It is a hard news story and answers the five W's, which alone, is enough to entice the reader into continuing the story, (Alcohol? Small brains? Whaa?!) The second graf, AKA, second paragraph of this article delivers the hardest hitting scientific data. This is where the percentage of brain mass and the relationship it has with alcohol. It also brings the story home to a certain demographic of people: "People who are developing dementia or problems with thinking, learning, and memory also tend to have lower brain volumes and larger white matter lesions." Another useful technique to get people to care. The third paragraph is the nut graph. This paragraph "proves" the accuracy of the story by stating where and when the experiment was conducted and by whom. It also talks about how exactly it was carried out, just in case any suspicious sci-nerds are reading.
The following three paragraphs just highlight some more semi-interesting experiment findings. Nothing too amazing. The article really just fizzles out. The last paragraph is actually a giant quote about the experiment author's conclusions on the testings; quite an appropriate way to end the article.
LINK: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/125393.php
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